Not to brag or anything, but we've been predicting the emergence of "cloud computing" for several years now. We believe it's coming, and that its inevitable arrival is due to two key problems with the current way computing is done:
- Each indvidual has to purchase, upgrade, and support expensive computer hardware and software
- The vast majority of the power (i.e. 99+%) of this hardware and software goes unused at any given time (as an aside, SETI has been taking advantage of idle computer cycles for years).
- Individuals are responsible for the protection and integrity of their own data.
Cloud computing redistributes computing power to those that are actually using it, at the time when they need it. It will realize several obvious advantages:
- Everyone will have the most powerful supercomputer in the world at their disposal.
- It's only when individuals actually use that computing power that they will pay (i.e. "pay for use" or "subscription").
- The notion of choosing your operating system (e.g. Windows vs Mac vs Linux) will become obsolete. People can choose what they need or prefer, and switch at any time.
- Everyone will have the entire worldwide suite of software available at their disposal.
There are, of course, some challenges that need to be overcome:
- Internet connectvity needs to be dramatically improved. Even at current broadband speeds, the immense amount of data that would be traveling back and forth between individuals and the 'cloud' would require a lot more horsepower.
- An infrastructure of grid computing systems would need to be setup before this became a practical reality.
One final note: Doesn't this seem eerily similar to mainframe computing? Funny how we're coming full circle.